Katherine Delaney EDC102H 9/23/12 High School Experiences High School is necessary for the preparation for college. It prepares students socially, structurally, and, most importantly, academically. It provides extracurricular activities, rigorous scheduling, and demanding courses. It turns children into adults just in the matter of four short years. High School was an experience of a lifetime for me.
I have always been focused in my academics. Luckily, my disciplined middle school prepared me for high school academia. I was placed in all honors courses. At first, I was overwhelmed with the heavy workload and questioned whether I was ready for courses like the ones I was taking. However, as time went on I used my structured background to help myself adjust to the demanding nature of the courses and passed with flying colors. I was on Honor Roll all throughout high school, was accepted into the National Honor Society, and received scholarship offers from almost every school to which I applied. The work I did in high school taught me that if I really want something, I have to work for it. In the end, my hard work paid off when I received scholarship money, which allows me to attend the University of Rhode Island.
Along with academics, extracurricular activities also help to shape the outcome of a student’s high school experience. They provide opportunities outside of the classroom for students to interact with their peers. National Honors Society was one of the most influential clubs that I was a part. First and foremost, it was an honor to be accepted into the elite academic club. However, the club was not all about academic standing; it was about helping others. The most rewarding experience was when my chapter of the National Honor Society hosted a dance of which all three thousand dollars in profits went to St. Jude’s Research Hospital. It was fulfilling to know that I was part of a club that makes such a difference in other people’s lives.
My teachers were important factors in my success in my high school career. My American Sign Language teacher, Mrs. Cameron, was especially influential. I had her throughout the three years I took sign language. Walking into her classroom always put me in a good mood. She was kind, fun, and energetic which set a great tone for the class. We always had interesting projects, whether it was coming up with a public service announcement or putting on a holiday play. She opened my eyes to a whole new world. She taught me all about deaf culture, deaf artists, deaf actors and actresses, and so much more. One assignment in particular really got to me. We went on a field trip to a local mall. The assignment was to spend the entire four hours at the mall completely silent and to use only sign language as communication, even with sale associates. It was so difficult and frustrating to have people not understand me, to stare at me, and to even laugh at me. It really opened my eyes to how ignorant people in today’s society can be. I will never forget that assignment. I feel truly blessed to have had Mrs. Cameron as a teacher.
In conclusion, high school is a four-year experience that a person can never forget. We meet friends that we will have for life; we participate in activities that are out of our comfort zone; and, most importantly, we prepare for the next stage of our lives, college. Without rigorous courses, out of school activities, and influential teachers, high school would not be as much of an experience as it should be.
EDC102H
9/23/12
High School Experiences
High School is necessary for the preparation for college. It prepares students socially, structurally, and, most importantly, academically. It provides extracurricular activities, rigorous scheduling, and demanding courses. It turns children into adults just in the matter of four short years. High School was an experience of a lifetime for me.
I have always been focused in my academics. Luckily, my disciplined middle school prepared me for high school academia. I was placed in all honors courses. At first, I was overwhelmed with the heavy workload and questioned whether I was ready for courses like the ones I was taking. However, as time went on I used my structured background to help myself adjust to the demanding nature of the courses and passed with flying colors. I was on Honor Roll all throughout high school, was accepted into the National Honor Society, and received scholarship offers from almost every school to which I applied. The work I did in high school taught me that if I really want something, I have to work for it. In the end, my hard work paid off when I received scholarship money, which allows me to attend the University of Rhode Island.
Along with academics, extracurricular activities also help to shape the outcome of a student’s high school experience. They provide opportunities outside of the classroom for students to interact with their peers. National Honors Society was one of the most influential clubs that I was a part. First and foremost, it was an honor to be accepted into the elite academic club. However, the club was not all about academic standing; it was about helping others. The most rewarding experience was when my chapter of the National Honor Society hosted a dance of which all three thousand dollars in profits went to St. Jude’s Research Hospital. It was fulfilling to know that I was part of a club that makes such a difference in other people’s lives.
My teachers were important factors in my success in my high school career. My American Sign Language teacher, Mrs. Cameron, was especially influential. I had her throughout the three years I took sign language. Walking into her classroom always put me in a good mood. She was kind, fun, and energetic which set a great tone for the class. We always had interesting projects, whether it was coming up with a public service announcement or putting on a holiday play. She opened my eyes to a whole new world. She taught me all about deaf culture, deaf artists, deaf actors and actresses, and so much more. One assignment in particular really got to me. We went on a field trip to a local mall. The assignment was to spend the entire four hours at the mall completely silent and to use only sign language as communication, even with sale associates. It was so difficult and frustrating to have people not understand me, to stare at me, and to even laugh at me. It really opened my eyes to how ignorant people in today’s society can be. I will never forget that assignment. I feel truly blessed to have had Mrs. Cameron as a teacher.
In conclusion, high school is a four-year experience that a person can never forget. We meet friends that we will have for life; we participate in activities that are out of our comfort zone; and, most importantly, we prepare for the next stage of our lives, college. Without rigorous courses, out of school activities, and influential teachers, high school would not be as much of an experience as it should be.